Another first is the fact that this is the first time since 2002, there will be a Wimbledon final without Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal or Novak Djokovic.
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“Obviously (he) makes more returns now since two to three years (ago). I can remember that match pretty well”. In that fourth set, he found an extra gear that even he probably didn’t think he had. I was quite vocal, but I was always positive.
At least Britain can rely on Andy Murray.
Staring down the unenviable scoreline of 6-3 6-7 (3) 4-6 6-5* 40-0 against the greatest that has ever lived, Milos Raonic would have been forgiven for feeling like his second Wimbledon semi-final was speeding from his grasp.
“He does a lot of things well”, said Raonic of Murray.
In the midst of contesting his 10th tension-filled set in three days, it was clear time had finally caught up with the aching and ageing limbs of the 34-year-old Swiss supremo.
Two successive double faults brought Raonic to deuce and while Federer saved two set points – with an unreturnable serve and a volley victor – his luck ran out on the third. After a forehand victor by Raonic, the unthinkable: Those back-to-back double-faults to let Raonic back into the game. I served a double fault twice. “Very sad about that and angry at myself because never should I allow him to get out of that set that easily”.
The only other Canadian to get this far was Eugenie Bouchard, the women’s runner-up at Wimbledon in 2014. After an inspired victory on Friday afternoon at SW19 he’ll be the favorite in the final as well.
Raonic said he was watching Shapovalov’s singles match before he went on Centre Court to face Federer. He believed that his previous shortcomings on a Grand Slam stage had provided the lessons needed to seize any little opening that arrived.
“What he told me today is: ‘Go out there, leave it all out there, ‘” Raonic said.
He saved eight of nine break points in that tie and boasts a tournament-leading 137 aces.
On Sunday, Murray will be playing in his 11th major final.
That left him serving for the set and he clinched it with an ace. I put myself in a position to try and win the event again. I walked it off.
Federer said he did not know the nature or the severity of the injury, but he did not use it as an excuse. He tries to get you doing a lot of different things. I don’t ever fall down.
I know it will be a tough match.
“I mean, yes, while I’m in the tournament, it’s a dream to win my eighth”, Federer said. “I just sometimes feel like maybe I need to release”.
And the effort took its toll on the 17-time major victor in the day’s first semi-final, which reached a crescendo just after Federer needed treatment on his right thigh and jarred his left knee and foot in a worrying fall.
“You’re playing who Roger is today”, Raonic said, “not who he’s been the past few years”.
“Federer had it all going his way but you couldn’t script that this would go on and on”, exclaimed Raonic’s grasscourt mentor John McEnroe. Murray also outlasted Raonic with a five-set victory in the semifinals of the Australian Open this year. But in the fourth, Raonic fought off two break points at 2-2 and another at 4-4.
“(But) it’s not my only reason why I play tennis. otherwise I’ll go in a freeze box now and come out before Wimbledon next year”.
He’s the youngest Wimbledon finalist since Murray reached the title match in 2012 at the same age.
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Raonic came into the semifinals on a five-match losing streak against players ranked in the top three.
